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Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
James Rodger & Sophie Brownson

How this Highway Code rule could knock £150 a year off your petrol bill

Drivers concerned about their soaring petrol bill can use this Highway Code rule to help save some cash.

As the cost of living crisis deepens, many people will be looking for ways to help their fuel go further, Birmingham Live reports. Experts reckon turning your engine off - not just the ignition - when stationary can save you cash. And the Highway Code even advises it.

Motoring experts believe that the lawful 'simple change' will cut your fuel bill substantially, while helping the planet. The pleas come as drivers continue to be clobbered by record fuel prices as petrol reaches an average of £1.65 per litre.

Read more: The new number plate rule that drivers need to know about

MotorEasy founder and CEO Duncan McClure Fisher said: “One thing many people do that is entirely unnecessary is to leave their engine idling. This can be done first thing in the morning to ‘warm it up’ or when stuck in traffic.

Even dropping off something at a friend’s house can see people leave the motor running instead of turning off the ignition.

“While this might seem very innocent, research has shown an idling engine can burn through 3-4p of fuel a minute. If you are doing 10 minutes of warming up, five days a week, and spending another 30 minutes per week stuck in traffic – that adds up to a very handy £166 a year that’s being wasted.”

Figures from data firm Experian Catalist show the average cost of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts has increased by 16p in the past month.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: "With the Spring Statement just a week away, drivers will be looking to the Chancellor to end their misery by cutting duty or VAT. One thing's for sure: simply reiterating that fuel duty has been frozen at 58p a litre simply isn't going to cut it."

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